sociology in our times chapter 13

1. Deskilling in Medicine (use of knowledge) 2. "Management" of professional time / decisions (autonomy)

Deprofessionalization 2

four main functions of the government according to functionalist perspective

1. maintaining law and order 2.planning and directing society 3.meeting social needs 4.handling international relations, including warfare

1. Abstract, Specialized Knowledge 2. Autonomy 3. Self-Regulation 4. Authority 5. Altruism

Five (5) Characteristics of professions

1. Private Ownership of the Means of Production (provides control) 2. Pursuit of Personal Profit (drives system activity) 3. Competition (system check and balance) 4. Lack of Government Intervention (market "regulates" behavior)

Four Distinct Features (of "ideal / perfect" capitalistic system)

a. Traditional Authority b. Charismatic Authority c. Rational-Legal Authority

Ideal Types of Authority - Three (3) Ideal Types

conglomerate

a combination of businesses in different commercial areas, all of which are owned by one holding company

representative democracy

a form of democracy whereby citizens elect representatives to serve as bridges between themselves and the government

Conflict View - The Elite Models

a. C. Wright Mills and the Power Elite b. G. William Domhoff and the Ruling Class

Functional View - The Pluralist Model

a.Special Interest Groups - "Lobby" Politicians b. Political Action Committees (PACs) - Influence Campaign Process

pluralist model

an analysis of political systems that views the power as widely dispersed throughout many competing interest groups

Capitalism

an economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production, from which personal profits can be derived through market competition and without government intervention.

oligopoly

an industry dominated by just a few companies

Other Occupations (white, blue, pink, green collar)

are categories of jobs that involve similar activities at different work sites. a. Upper tier: managers and supervisors b. Lower tier and marginal jobs:

1. SAT/ACT scores and Parental Education / Income 2. "Role Model" presence in Social Networks x. Arkansas - 19% of population has BA/BS degree or higher

b. Social Reproduction of Professionals (2)

Routinization of charisma

charismatic person succeeded by Bureaucracy.

Authoritarianism

controlled by rulers who deny popular participation in government - Kuwait, Saudi Arabia

The "iron triangle of power"

corporations, congress, and bureaucracy

transnational corporations

large corporations that are headquarters in one country but sell and produce goods and services in many countries

Charismatic Authority

legitimated via exceptional personal qualities.

Traditional Authority

legitimated via long-standing tradition.

interlocking corporate directorates

members of the board of directors of one corporation who also sit on the boards of other corporations

a. Special Interest Groups - "Lobby" Politicians

political coalitions of individuals and groups that share a specific interest that they wish to protect or advance via the political system.

elite model

power in political systems is concentrated in the hands of a small group of elites, and the masses are relatively powerless

Power

the ability of persons and groups to achieve their goals despite opposition from others; Derived from resource control / "alternatives.

primary sector production

the extraction of raw materials and natural resources from the environment

Government

the formal organization that has the legal and political authority to regulate the relationships between members of a society, and between the society and those outside its borders.

a. C. Wright Mills and the Power Elite

the leaders at the top of three sectors: Business, Military, Executive Branch: revolving door between sectors / occupations.

State

the political entity that possesses a legitimate monopoly over the use of force within its territory to achieve its goals.

political socialization

the process by which people learn political attitudes, values, and behavior

secondary sector production

the processing of raw materials from the primary sector into finished goods

tertiary sector production

the provision of services rather than goods

Politics

the social institution through which power is acquired / exercised by individuals and groups.

Professions

high-status, knowledge-based occupations that have five (5) major characteristics.

b. Political Action Committees (PACs) - Influence Campaign Process

organizations of special interest groups that solicit contributions from donors and fund campaigns to help elect (or defeat) candidates based on their stance on specific issues.

corporations

organizations that have legal power, such as the ability to enter into contracts and buy and sell property, separate from their individual owners

Contingent Work (temps)

part-time, temporary work, or subcontracted work that offers advantages to employers but that can be detrimental to the welfare of works

Democracy

people hold power, direct and indirect; Representative Democracy - elected representation

The "Military - Industrial Complex"

permanent war economy emerges from post WWII, increases post 9/11 - the business of war

Rational-Legal Authority

power legitimized by laws, rules, regulations.

Monarchy

power resides in one person, or family and is passed on via lines of inheritance - United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands

Authority

power that people accept as legitimate, not coercive

Economy

production and distribution of goods and services.

Totalitarianism

regulation of all aspects of life * former Soviet Union, Afghan Taliban Regime

b. G. William Domhoff and the Ruling Class

relatively fixed group of people 1. Approximately 1% of population owns/controls 42% 10% of population owns/controls 72% 2. Influences - candidate selection process, - public policy formation, - gain favorable regulatory treatment.